Introduction to the Bosonic String

          @misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:09040005,
            doi = {},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/09040005},
            author = {Buchel, Alex},
            keywords = {Quantum Fields and Strings},
            language = {en},
            title = {Introduction to the Bosonic String},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
            year = {2009},
            month = {apr},
            note = {PIRSA:09040005 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
          }
          

Abstract

This course provides a thorough introduction to the bosonic string based on the Polyakov path integral and conformal field theory. We introduce central ideas of string theory, the tools of conformal field theory, the Polyakov path integral, and the covariant quantization of the string. We discuss string interactions and cover the tree-level and one loop amplitudes. More advanced topics such as T-duality and D-branes will be taught as part of the course. The course is geared for M.Sc. and Ph.D. students enrolled in Collaborative Ph.D. Program in Theoretical Physics. Required previous course work: Quantum Field Theory (AM516 or equivalent). The course evaluation will be based on regular problem sets that will be handed in during the term. The primary text is the book: 'String theory. Vol. 1: An introduction to the bosonic string. J. Polchinski (Santa Barbara, KITP) . 1998. 402pp. Cambridge, UK: Univ. Pr. (1998) 402 p.' All interested students should contact Alex Buchel at [email protected] as soon as possible.